Happy Clozette Holidays!

We've talked about holiday beauty prep guides and various gifting ideas, but for this story, we decided to relax a little and focus on you. That's right, YOU, our Communitymembers who are celebrating yet another year with us and the entire Clozette family. While giving you ideas on how to go through the holidays with ease, we also got a bit curious as to how you prep and plan for the festivities in your own way — so asked and you happily answered! Here's what we found out about what some of you will be up to as you celebrate the year's most colourful season.

"Christmas starts in July in our household! Like they always say, the early bird catches the worm so this is the best time to shop for exquisite Christmas ornaments and decorations that are usually sold out during the holiday season. Experts also say that people who put up their festive decorations early are happier and perceived by neighbours as being more friendly. So it’s time for less bah humbug and more ho ho ho!"

"This holiday season, I’m getting my [behind] off the country to visit Taipei, one of the busiest cities with a vast selection of good food. How do I prep? I need to go to the gym beforehand to work out so I can make space and fill my tummy with boba and braised pork rice every day. Best souvenir to carry around with me."

"Being a control freak, I always prep early for everything and that includes Christmas. I'd make a list and shop early to avoid the Christmas rush. This way, I don't forget anything and or anyone on that special day. This year, like the previous ones, I plan to spend my favourite season with my family because nothing would give me greater joy than to be with them on Christmas day."

"So happy to share with you guys what I've planned for the holidays. I've already booked a hotel room this coming holiday, so I'm so giddy 'bout that 'coz I love staycations. Also, [I'm] already done with Christmas shopping. Did shopping pretty early this year to avoid the crowded malls and traffic, of course. Moreover, [I] have the entire latter half of December all planned out already too and will be spending it with my extended family since they'll be all coming home from abroad! Definitely, exciting days await us for the holidays."

"The holiday season is really in! Lately, I’m treating shopping as a cardio as I go to different malls and bazaars that offer many choices at a good steal. Plus, I'm really feeling super duper extra excited for the long vacation since I get to spend time with my loved ones and make itineraries for projected travel plans."

What's hot this year

Before we set our sights on all the new, exciting style fads in store for us in 2019, let's take a look back at the biggest fashion trends that hit the Clozette Community this year. From dainty dress designs to runway-inspired looks, here are the five hottest items in 2018 as sported by our favourite fashionistas. Which ones do you think will stay with us and which ones should we say goodbye to?

Looks that deserve the crown

In four days, we'll be able to witness yet another beauty to be crowned as Miss Universe 2018. But apart from the many impressive facets of the candidates vying for the crown, they are first and foremost the faces of the rich culture and history of their respective countries.

That's why the display of their national costumes — that encompass style, grace, and their nation in a nutshell — is buzz-worthy as a primer to the main event. So now that we've seen them all and have proven that each walk gets bigger and grander each year, we decided to give a rundown of looks from the Miss Universe 2018 National Costume category. Here are the ones that took our breath away as soon as they hit the stage.

Miss Australia

Channelling their country's national flower, the Golden Wattle, Miss Australia looked stunning in her soft and fairy-like garb of yellow and peach that truly captures the eye with its floral appeal.

Miss Belize

Inspired by the Mayan sun god, Miss Belize truly shone and embraced her inner goddess in this bold green and gold ensemble. Great choice, if we say so ourselves!

Miss Brazil

Inspired by an Amazonian goddess that turns into a bird, Miss Brazil's costume also boasted a transformation on-stage while relating to her advocacy for environmental protection.

Miss China

Colourful, exciting, and definitely eye-catching, Miss China wowed the crowd with her beautiful interpretation of historical Chinese dramas featuring quick-changing masks. Plus, don't get us started on how interesting that headpiece is.

Miss Curacao

Talk about regal. Embodying women empowerment and equal rights in this majestic white gown, Miss Curacao is probably one of our ultimate favourites among the bunch. She stated that she is "ready to break any chains" and celebrate the freedom of women in her country.

Miss Honduras

Another gorgeous ball gown that took the stage was Miss Honduras' blue and gold garb. Representing the blue oceans of Sta. Barbara, she truly looked like a sea goddess waiting to take the world by storm.

Miss Indonesia

We've seen a lot of queens wearing floral but here's one who owned the fauna department: Miss Indonesia. Taking inspiration from the nation's birds of paradise, she owned the stage with her feather-adorned outfit that stood out in red, white and yellow.

Miss Japan

Representing a nation that is well-known for the culmination of their past, present and even futuristic culture, Miss Japan surely knew how to nail everything her country is about. She donned not just one but two costumes in a single go. First appearing on stage in a kunoichi costume that represents female ninjas, she then transformed mid-walk to one of Japan's most internationally known manga characters, Sailor Moon.

Miss Korea

With the hanbok earning popularity in recent years because of the rise of K-culture, we're sure we're not the only ones who fell in love with the look when it entered the stage. The choice of crimson and blue effectively made the look captivating and we sure wish we can channel the same level of grace Miss Korea displayed when she walked in it.

Miss Malaysia

Inspired by a resourceful and protective spirit that is said to grace an ancient fishing civilisation, Miss Malaysia looked stunning in her Perahu Bangau national costume. From the shoulder crane to the 3-D element of the outfit that is meant to symbolise a boat, we can't help but fall in love with the craftsmanship that went into the look.

Miss Philippines

Full of historical, cultural and indigenous-inspired symbols and references from her country's three main islands, Miss Philippines' look is like a storybook that came to life on-stage. Created in collaboration with historians and many artists, the intricate details of the ensemble truly displayed the country's colourful heritage.

Miss Russia

Combining a beautiful face and a breathtaking dress makes a look that's one for the books and Miss Russia's ensemble gave us just that. Taking inspiration from women of power and nobility, she definitely served us royalty with this gorgeous concoction of blue and gold.

Miss Singapore

Highlighting SG's role as a 'global broker of peace' during the Trump-Kim summit, they may be known as the Little Red Dot, but Miss Singapore's look reminded us that they're not-so-little when it comes to their contributions to global welfare.

Miss Zambia

She may have been the last one to walk, but Miss Zambia gave us major 'strong, independent woman' vibes we never thought we needed with her gorgeous traditional garb of black, white and brown. Inspired by a look that women can only wear during harvest season as a symbol of purity, we're also all for the 'woman warrior' aura that this ensemble is serving.